King Leopold II Belgium Royalty Signed Letter Prime Minister Auguste Beernaert

Description

For your consideration is an exceedingly rare and historically significant original antique c.1878 Belgian royal manuscript letter, handwritten and signed by Leopold II, King of Belgium and the Congo, addressed to Prime Minister Auguste Beernaert. This extraordinary document, penned entirely by King Leopold II on his official royal letterhead stationary, is boldly signed "Leopold" in black fountain pen ink, elevating its uniqueness and historical value.

The letter, dated 25 October 1878, is presented on paper embossed with the raised royal arms of Leopold II, reflecting the ceremonial and official nature of the correspondence. Accompanying this royal manuscript is the original hand-addressed royal mailing envelope, also adorned with Leopold II's coat of arms and crown, further authenticating the document's royal provenance.

Measuring approximately 4.5 by 7.0 inches, with the envelope measuring 5.25 by 3.0 inches, this document is preserved in fine condition on laid paper. The letter's physical characteristics—its size, the quality of the paper, and the preservation of the ink—speak to its archival and museum quality, affirming its status as a one-of-a-kind piece.

King Leopold II, who reigned from 1865 until his death in 1909, is remembered as the second King of the Belgians and the founder and sole owner of the Congo Free State. His reign, the longest of any Belgian monarch, was marked by significant urban and public works projects, earning him the nickname "the Builder King" in Belgium. His correspondence with Auguste Beernaert, who served as Belgium's Prime Minister from October 1884 to March 1894 and was a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, highlights a period of intensive national and international engagement.

Auguste Beernaert, a distinguished lawyer and politician, was known for his improvements to Belgium's infrastructure as Minister of Public Works and later for his significant contributions to international peace efforts, including his role in the Hague Conventions and his work at the Permanent Court of Arbitration.

This letter is not only a personal artifact from one of Belgium's most influential monarchs but also a document that sheds light on the political and social dynamics of late 19th-century Belgium. It offers a tangible connection to the era's pivotal events and figures, making it an invaluable acquisition for collectors of royal memorabilia, European historical documents, or scholars studying the period.